Mantravadi and Nusbaumer Honored for Outstanding Efforts<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
(May 29, 2014) – R. Prasad Mantravadi, M.D., and Michael Nusbaumer, Ph.D., professor of sociology, were honored by Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) for their outstanding contributions.<\/p>\n
“These men have done great things for the university, its students, and the community,” said Chancellor Vicky Carwein. “It is a pleasure to recognize and honor their work.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
R. Prasad Mantravadi, M.D.: Sharing Culture and Music<\/strong><\/p>\nMantravadi received the 2014 IPFW Champion Award on May 13, 2014. This award is given each year to members of the community to recognize outstanding efforts and contributions toward connecting the university with the community it serves. The first recipients of this award were Donald McArdle, Elias Samaan, and Alfred Zacher in 2011. Other recipients include Karl LaPan (2012), Maclyn Parker (2012), and David Molfenter (2013).<\/p>\n
“Prasad’s efforts impacted both IPFW students and the community by bringing new cultural learning experiences and opportunities to Fort Wayne,” said Chancellor Vicky Carwein. “He built bridges of music and dance, and then invited students and community members alike to share his passion for these arts.”<\/p>\n
Mantravadi came to Fort Wayne in 1983 after serving as a clinical associate professor at the Abraham Lincoln School of Medicine and the University of Illinois Hospital. He has been honored for his volunteer work, public education efforts, and outstanding patient care by both the national American Cancer Society and the Indiana State American Cancer Society.<\/p>\n
He is also passionate about culture and community service. He joined with other local residents to create Shruti, a non-profit organization dedicated to sharing Indian culture with the people of Fort Wayne.<\/p>\n
Through Shruti, Mantravadi and other Indian and Southeast Asian community leaders began discussions with IPFW’s School of Visual and Performing Arts. Those discussions grew into what is now the Indian Performance Series at IPFW.<\/p>\n
The first event in the series took place in fall 2012. The series includes two performances each year during the fall and spring semesters.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Michael Nusbaumer, Ph.D.: From Student to Faculty Leader<\/strong><\/p>\nNusbaumer received the 2014 Chancellor’s Medal on April 30, 2014. The award goes to individuals of the campus community who have given exceptional service beyond the call of duty to the university. The award was first given in 2011 to Ken and Linda Balthaser (associate librarian emeritus and assistant dean emerita of the School of Arts and Sciences, respectively) to honor their 40+ years of service and support. Other winners include Arthur Friedel (2012), professor emeritus of chemistry, and Robert Barrett (2013), professor emeritus of computer science.<\/p>\n
“It’s a pleasure to honor Mike with this award,” said Carwein. “It’s a fitting tribute to his success as a professor and a faculty leader as he closes his 38-year career at IPFW.”<\/p>\n
Nusbaumer’s involvement with IPFW goes back to 1970, when he was the vice president of the student council and proposed the mastodon as IPFW’s mascot. He earned a bachelor’s in education as a member of the fourth graduating class in 1971.<\/p>\n
He earned a master’s in sociology from Ball State in 1973 and a Ph.D in sociology with specialty certificate from the program in alcohol and drug addiction from Western Michigan University.<\/p>\n
Nusbaumer joined the IPFW faculty in 1976, beginning as an instructor and ultimately becoming a professor of sociology in 1997. He chaired the Department of Sociology from 1980 to1982. His work has resulted in numerous academic and professional publications and presentations.<\/p>\n
He has also been an active faculty leader for many years in his department, in the College of Arts and Sciences, and in the IPFW Senate. He served as the presiding officer in the senate and was elected three times as the speaker of the Indiana University faculty.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
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